Guided cable plugging in a network

ABSTRACT

Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for facilitating cable plugging in a network by wirelessly reading, by a hand-held mobile device, connector identifying information directly from a tag associated with a cable connector at one end of a cable to be plugged in the network. The hand-held mobile device uses the connector identifying information to ascertain guidance for where to properly plug the cable connector in the network, and based on ascertaining the guidance, an action is performed to assist in properly plugging the cable connector in the network.

BACKGROUND

In system networking, such as computer networking, situations existwhere a user or operator may be required to plug a large number ofcables. For instance, a server network may contain tens or evenhundreds, or more, cables to be connected. Even if a user knows where toplug a particular cable, there may be a number of similar cables thathave been plugged at a first cable end which would need to be tracedback from a second cable end in order to ascertain which particularcable a user may be holding to determine where to plug the second end.Further, if unplugging a particular cable, it may be difficult to knowwhere the other end of the cable is plugged within the computer network.Additionally, situations may exist where a cable is long enough that auser plugging one end of the cable may not be able to see the other end.For instance, cables may span between front and back sides of a computerrack, or between computer racks, or across a data center, or even acrossseparate rooms of a facility, etc., each of which may make tracing aparticular cable more difficult and time consuming.

SUMMARY

Certain shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additionaladvantages are provided through the provision, in one or more aspects,of a method of facilitating cable plugging in a network. The methodincludes wirelessly reading, using a hand-held mobile device, connectoridentifying information directly from a tag associated with a cableconnector at one end of a cable to be plugged in the network, and using,by the hand-held mobile device, the connector identifying information toascertain guidance for where to properly plug the cable connector in thenetwork. Further, the method includes, based on ascertaining theguidance, performing an action to assist in properly plugging the cableconnector in the network.

In another aspect, a system of facilitating cable plugging in a networkis provided. The system includes a memory, and a processorcommunicatively coupled to the memory. The system performs a method,which includes receiving, by a hand-held mobile device, wirelessly readconnector identifying information directly from a tag associated with acable connector at one end of a cable to be plugged in the network, andusing, by the hand-held mobile device, the connector identifyinginformation to ascertain guidance for where to properly plug the cableconnector in the network. Further, the method includes based onascertaining the guidance, performing an action to assist in properlyplugging the cable connector in the network.

In a further aspect, a computer program product is provided forfacilitating cable plugging in a network. The computer program productincludes a computer-readable storage medium having program instructionsembodied therewith. The program instructions are executable by aprocessor to cause the processor to: receive, by a hand-held mobiledevice, wirelessly read connector identifying information directly froma tag associated with a cable connector at one end of a cable to beplugged in the network; use, by a hand-held device, the connectoridentifying information to ascertain guidance for where to properly plugthe cable connector in the network; and based on ascertaining theguidance, perform an action to assist in properly plugging the cableconnector in the network.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniquesof the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the inventionare described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimedinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more aspects of the present invention are particularly pointedout and distinctly claimed as examples in the claims at the conclusionof the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, andadvantages of the invention are apparent from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of a computer network with a plurality ofcables, and a connector cable to be plugged into the computer networkfor which guidance is to be provided, in accordance with one or moreaspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of a process for facilitating cableplugging in a network, in accordance with one or more aspects of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment of a mobile device to facilitate providingcable plugging guidance in a network, in accordance with one or moreaspects of the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts one embodiment of a mobile device wirelessly readingconnector identifying information from a tag associated with a cableconnector at one end of a cable to be plugged in a network, inaccordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 5A depicts one embodiment of a system for providing cable pluggingguidance, in accordance with one or more aspects of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5B depicts another embodiment of a system for providing cableplugging guidance, in accordance with one or more aspects of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 depicts one embodiment of a mobile device with augmented realityguidance to facilitate properly plugging a cable connector within acomputer network, in accordance with one or more aspects of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 depicts a further embodiment of a process for facilitating cableplugging in a computer network, in accordance with one or more aspectsof the present invention;

FIG. 8 depicts one embodiment of a computing system which may implementor facilitate implementing cable plugging guidance processing, inaccordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 9 depicts one embodiment of a cloud computing environment, whichmay implement, or be used in association with one or more aspects of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 10 depicts one example of abstraction model layers, which mayfacilitate or implement cable plugging guidance processing, inaccordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present invention and certain features, advantages anddetails thereof, are explained more fully below with reference to thenon-limiting example(s) illustrated in the accompanying drawings.Descriptions of well-known systems, devices, processing techniques,etc., are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the invention indetail. It should be understood, however, that the detailed descriptionin this specific example(s), while indicating aspects of the invention,is given by way of illustration only, and not by way of limitation.Various substitutions, modifications, additions, and/or otherarrangements, within the spirit and/or scope of the underlying inventiveconcepts will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdisclosure. Note further that numerous inventive aspects and featuresare disclosed herein, and unless inconsistent, each disclosed aspect orfeature is combinable with any other disclosed aspect or feature asdesired for a particular application to facilitate, for instance,providing cable plugging guidance for a network.

The illustrative embodiments may be described below using specific code,designs, architectures, protocols, layouts, schematics, or tools only asexamples, and are not limited to the illustrative embodiments.Furthermore, the illustrative embodiments may be described in certaininstances using particular software, tools, and data processingenvironments only as example for clarity of description. Theillustrative embodiments may be used in conjunction with othercomparable or similarly purposed structures, systems, applications, orarchitectures. An illustrative embodiment may be implemented inhardware, software, or a combination thereof.

The examples in this disclosure are used only for clarity of descriptionand are not limiting to the illustrative embodiments. Additional data,operations, actions, tasks, activities, and manipulations will beconceivable from this disclosure and the same are contemplated withinthe scope of the illustrative embodiments.

Any advantages listed herein are only examples and are not intended tobe limiting to the illustrative embodiments. Additional or differentadvantages may be realized by specific illustrative embodiments.Furthermore, a particular illustrative embodiment may have some, all, ornone of the advantages listed herein.

Networks, such as computer networks, communication networks, and othernetworks, typically rely on cables to connect product components of thenetwork to one another. Within a network, a user may be required to pluga large number of cables, and even if a user knows where to plug aparticular cable, there may be a number of similar cables that have beenplugged at a first cable end, which would need to be traced back from asecond cable end in order to ascertain which particular cable the usermay be holding to determine where to plug the second cable end. Further,situations may exist where a cable is long enough that a user pluggingone end of the cable may not be able to see the other end of the cable.For instance, cables may extend between the front and back of a rack,between racks, across a data center, or even span separate rooms of adata center facility, which may make tracing a particular cabledifficult and time consuming.

Reference is made below to the drawings, which may not be drawn to scalefor ease of understanding, wherein the same reference numbers usedthroughout different figures designate the same or similar components.

By way of example, FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of a data center 100with a plurality of racks 110 of computing equipment. In the example ofFIG. 1, datacenter 100 is a raised floor data center, with the pluralityof racks 110 residing on a raised floor 101 of data center 100. Notethat FIG. 1 may represent a single network, or multiple interconnectednetworks. Note also that the phrase “network” is used broadly herein torefer to any computer, communications, etc., network or system with twoor more product components interconnected by cables. The productcomponents may be any of a variety of components, with a server rack ofa data center being one example of a network, or a portion of a network,having a large number of cables to be plugged to achieve a desired setupconfiguration. The cables may be, for instance, power cables,input/output cables, or other communications cables, etc. Typically, acable may have a first cable connector at a first end and a second cableconnector at a second end. In the example of FIG. 1, multiple cables 120are shown, each of which has an appropriate cable connector 121 at eachend thereof. Further, the product components of the network are shown tohave respective plug locations 122 for plugging an appropriate cableinto the network to interconnect product components of the network inthe desired configuration. Note also that although typically having asingle first end and a single second end, a “cable” as used herein mayinclude a configuration with multiple first ends and/or multiple secondends, each having associated therewith a cable connector to be pluggedin the network (e.g., a Y-cable).

As can be understood from the depiction of FIG. 1, it may be atime-consuming process to determine for an individual cable 120 where aparticular cable connector 121 at one end of the cable should be pluggedinto the network. This is true whether the other end has been pluggedinto the network, or not. Further, as noted, depending on where a firstplug location is relative to a second plug location within the network,it may be difficult to ascertain where the appropriate plug location isfor plugging a particular cable connector. For instance, as shown inFIG. 1, multiple cables may extend from the back of one rack to otherlocations within the data center, and thus, where, or even whether, theother end of the cable is plugged may sometimes be difficult toascertain.

Disclosed herein, in one or more aspects, are methods, systems andcomputer program products which guide cable plugging within a networkusing, for instance, a mobile device and wireless communication tags,such as near-field communication (NFC) tags, associated with cableconnectors at the ends of the cables to be plugged in the network. As isknown, NFC tags employ a set of communication protocols that enable anelectronic device, such as a mobile device, to establish communicationby bringing the device and tag within a set distance of each other. Forinstance, in one or more implementations, NFC tags may operate at afrequency of 13.56 MHz, and have a read distance of 1-1.5 meters(ISO/IEC 15693), or less. Current NFC tags may have a maximum memorysize of about 8 kB, and a maximum transfer rate of about 424 kB/s forreading or writing. Many mobile devices today include NFC technology,which may be used in different settings to transfer information. Forinstance, in a retail environment, NFC communications may be employedbetween devices to, for instance, pay a credit card, receive credit fora loyalty program, receive coupons, etc.

Note that although described hereinbelow with reference to NFCcommunications and NFC tags, near-field communication protocols are oneexample of a short range wireless communication protocol which may beemployed as part of providing cable plugging guidance, in accordancewith one or more aspects of the present invention. Those skilled in theart will understand that other short range wireless communicationprotocols could be employed, such as Bluetooth communications, shortrange Wi-Fi, radio frequency identification (RFID), etc.

Before discussing implementing cable plugging guidance processing inaccordance with one or more aspects of the present invention, mobiledevices are briefly described. By way of example, in one or moreembodiments, a mobile device may have a wireless communicationcapability, and be, for instance, a mobile phone, a personal digitalassistant (PDA), a wireless computer, a laptop computer, tablet, etc.The communication capability or system may be, for instance, a CodeDivision Multiple Access (CDMA) system, a Global System for MobileCommunication (GSM), a Wideband CDMA (W-CDMA) system, a Long-TermEvolution (LTE) system, an LTE Advanced system, etc.

The mobile device may be capable of providing bidirectionalcommunication via a receive path and a transmit path. On the receivepath, signals transmitted by another device or tag may be received by anantenna, and provided to a receiver. The receiver conditions anddigitizes the receive signals, and provides the conditioned anddigitized signals to a digital section of the mobile device for furtherprocessing. On a transmit path, a transmitter may receive data to betransmitted from the digital section, and process and condition thedata, and generate a modulated signal, which may be transmitted via theantenna to one or more other devices, systems, etc. The receiver and thetransmitter are part of the transceiver, and support, for instance,CDMA, GSM, W-CDMA, LTE, LTE Advanced, etc.

The digital section of the mobile device may include various processing,interfaces, and memory units, such as, for example, a modem processor, areduced instruction set computer/digital signal processor (RISC/DSP), acontroller/processor, an internal memory, a generalized audio encoder, ageneralized audio decoder, a graphics/display processor, and/or anexternal bus interface (EBI). The modem processor may perform processingfor data transmission and reception, for example, encoding, modulation,demodulation, and decoding. The RISC/DSP may perform general andspecialized processing for the wireless device. The controller/processormay control the operation of various processing and interface unitswithin the digital section. The internal memory stores data and/orinstructions for various units within the digital section.

A generalized audio encoder performs encoding for input signals from anaudio source, a microphone, etc. A generalized audio decoder performsdecoding for coded audio data and provides output signals to, forinstance, a speaker/headset. It should be noted that the generalizedaudio encoder and the generalized audio decoder are not necessarilyrequired for interface with the audio source, the microphone, andspeaker/headset, and thus, may not be part of the mobile device. Thegraphics/display processor performs processing for graphics, videos,images, and texts, which are presented to a display unit. The EBIfacilitates the transfer of data between the digital section and a mainmemory. The digital section may be implemented with one or moreprocessors, DSPs, microprocessors, RISCs, etc. The digital section mayalso be fabricated on one or more application-specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), and/or other types of integrated circuits (ICs).

In general, a mobile device such as described herein is indicative ofvarious types of devices, such as a wireless phone, a cellular phone, alaptop computer, a wireless multimedia device, a tablet, a wirelesscommunication personal computer (PC), a PDA, etc. Any such mobile devicemay have memory for storing instructions and data, as well as hardware,software, and firmware, and/or combinations thereof, which may be used,for instance, to implement one or more aspects of the processingdescribed herein.

In one or more aspects, providing cable plugging guidance as disclosedherein advantageously allows a user to avoid having to lookupinstructions to know (for a desired setup) which cable plug should beplaced into which plug location of a particular network, resulting inless training potentially being required for what is conventionally adifficult task. Further, using the processes disclosed herein, a user isfreed of any need to trace a cable back to an opposite cable end thatmay already be plugged within the network in order to ascertain where asecond cable end is to be plugged. In addition, the processes disclosedherein allow a user to avoid sending power or other signals through acable to identify both ends of the cable in a case where the cable mayrun a long distance, such as between rooms. Further, the various processaspects disclosed herein free a user from having to plug a second cableconnector of a cable immediately after plugging a first cable connectorof the cable, since there is no concern for having multiple second cableconnectors grouped together. This may speed up overall time required tocomplete the network plugging process, or allow a user to take breaksduring the plugging process without risk of losing place. Further, thevarious aspects disclosed herein may allow multiple users to plugmultiple cable ends substantially simultaneously. Also, the processesdisclosed herein ensure proper plugging of cable connectors in a desiredconfiguration prior to turning on the network setup.

The above-noted advantages, as well as other features and advantages ofthe invention, are realized through the provision, in one or moreaspects, of a method of facilitating cable plugging in a network, whichincludes wirelessly reading, by a mobile device, connector identifyinginformation from a tag associated with a cable connector at one end of acable to be plugged in the network. The method includes using, by themobile device, the cable connector information to ascertainpre-specified guidance for where to properly plug the cable connector inthe network. Based on ascertaining the guidance, an action may beperformed to assist in properly plugging the cable connector in thenetwork.

In one or more implementations, performing the action may includeobtaining, by the mobile device, an image of at least a portion of thenetwork, and superimposing the guidance on the image to assist inplugging the cable connector in the network. In certain embodiments,superimposing the guidance may include providing in augmented realitythe guidance superimposed on the image.

In one or more embodiments, the tag may be a passive near-fieldcommunication (NFC) tag. Further, wirelessly reading may includepowering by the mobile device the NFC tag to read the connectoridentifying information from the NFC tag. The NFC tag may be located inassociation with the cable connector at the one end of the cable.

In one or more implementations, using the connector identifyinginformation may include using, by the mobile device, the connectoridentifying information to obtain from a database containing applicablecable rules, the guidance for where to properly plug the cable connectorin the network. Further, the method may include ascertaining theapplicable cable rules by imaging, using the mobile device, at least aportion of the network, and determining via image recognition detailsabout the network to identify the applicable cable rules. In one or moreembodiments, the cable rules may be stored on the mobile device, whilein other implementations the cable rules may be stored remote from themobile device and remote from the network being connected.

In one or more embodiments, the method may include imaging where thecable connector is subsequently plugged into the network, andmaintaining a log identifying, based at least in part on the imaging,which cable connectors are plugged into which plug locations of thenetwork. Further, in certain embodiments, the guidance may includeidentifying multiple acceptable plug locations for the cable connectorin the network. In one or more embodiments, the performing may includeproviding the guidance on a device separate from the mobile device. Forinstance, the separate device may include or be smart glasses worn by anoperator plugging the cable connector in the network.

In one or more embodiments, the method may include storing an indicationof where the cable connector is subsequently plugged into the network,and wirelessly reading, by the mobile device, connector identifyinginformation from another tag associated with another cable connector atanother end of the cable to be plugged in the network. The mobile devicemay then use the stored indication of where the cable connector isplugged into the network, and the connector identifying information fromthe another tag associated with the another cable connector at theanother end of the cable, to ascertain further guidance for where toproperly plug the another cable connector in the network. Based onascertaining the further guidance, a further action may be performed toassist in properly plugging the another cable connector at the anotherend of the cable in the network. As noted, in certain embodiments, theperforming may include obtaining, by the mobile device, an image of atleast a portion of the network, and superimposing in augmented reality,the guidance on the image.

FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of a process 200 for facilitating orassisting a user in cable plugging in a network, in accordance with oneor more aspects of the present invention. As illustrated, process 200begins 201 with a mobile device being brought near a cable connector210. In one or more embodiments, the cable connector may contain tags,such as NFC tags, associated with the different ends of the cable. Forinstance, the tags may be incorporated into the cable connectors orphysically attached to the cable connectors; that is, assuming that theattachment does not interfere with plugging of the cable connector at anintended plug location within the network. In one or moreimplementations, the tag may be a passive device, where the deviceeffectively acts as a transponder. Therefore, the process may includepowering up the cable connector's associated tag to have the tagtransmit data (and in particular, connector identifying information), tothe mobile device 220. Once the connector identifying information isobtained from the tag, pre-established plug rules for the desirednetwork configuration may be referenced, such as from a plug rulesdatabase 230, to ascertain guidance for where to properly plug the cableconnector in the desired network configuration. Based on obtaining theguidance, processing may identify for the user one or more possible pluglocations for the current connector (such as in an augmented realitymode) 240. For instance, the mobile device may capture an image of atleast a portion of the network and the guidance may be displayed inaugmented reality on the image to assist in plugging the cable connectorin the network. The mobile device may then be used (e.g., while inaugmented reality mode) to identify a location that the user has pluggedthe cable connector into the network 250. If desired, a notificationcould be provided in augmented reality on the mobile device where it isdetected that the connector is plugged into an incorrect plug location.Also, if multiple plug locations were identified, the mobile device,while in augmented reality mode, facilitates identifying the specificplug location where the connector was plugged. As part of the process, aplug log may be updated and maintained, for future reference, toindicate which cable connector is plugged into which plug location ofthe network 260.

By way of example, FIG. 3 depicts one conceptual embodiment of a mobiledevice 300 for use in facilitating cable plugging, in accordance withone or more aspects of the present invention. As shown, mobile device300 may include image capture components 310, such as conventional imageor video camera components (including an image lens 311), as well aswireless, proximity-based transceiver 320, and an image processingmodule 330, which may include image-video-based processing such as imagerecognition, in order to implement, for instance, a product recognizer.Further, image acquisition guidance 340 may be provided, which mayprovide a visual and/or audio-based guidance indicator to a user todirect the user to a proper location in the network for a plug locationwhen, for instance, only a portion of the network is being imaged by themobile device. Additional components may include processing for pluglocation indicator 350, which in one or more implementations may includean augmented reality engine, as well as, for instance, networkcommunication capability 370 and a display 380. Note that mobile device300 may include many additional or different components, modules,subsystems, etc., without departing from the spirit of the presentinvention.

As an example, FIG. 4 depicts one embodiment of mobile device 300powering, and wirelessly reading, connector identifying information froma passive tag 402 associated with a cable connector 401 of a cable 400to be plugged in a network, such as discussed herein. As noted, in oneor more implementations, the tag may be a near-field communication (NFC)tag, and each cable connector at the opposite ends of the cable may havea respective NFC tag associated therewith, each containing appropriateinformation for that cable connector. The NFC tags may be shielded fromthe cables, and any circuitry inside the respective cable connectors,such that interference does not occur at NFC frequencies of 13.56 MHz,or NFC harmonics (e.g., 40.68 MHz for a third harmonic, or 67.80 MHz fora fifth harmonic). As noted, the tags may be built into the respectivecable connectors, or associated in some way by being physically attachedto the cable connectors. Where the tag is an NFC tag, the tag may be apassive NFC tag (as assumed above), in which case, the mobile devicepowers the tag in order to read data from the tag. In the case where thetag is an active NFC tag, the tag can read and send information, makingthe tag effectively a transceiver. As noted initially, other wirelesscommunication technologies may alternately be employed. However, aproximity-based method such as NFC is advantageous in an environmentwhere there may be tens or even hundreds of cables, and cable connectorsto be plugged into the network may be in close proximity.

In one or more embodiments, the connector identifying information may bestored or programmed into the associated tag, and may include a varietyof applicable data. By way of example only, the connector identifyinginformation may include one or more of the tag's unique identification(UID), the type of cable connector the tag is attached to, the type ofcable the tag is attached to, a part number, a serial number, wire gagefor the cable, a number of conductors, various cable connectorattributes, electrical ratings, locations where the connector may beproperly plugged in a network, the UID of one or more other connectorsattached to the same cable, etc.

FIG. 5A depicts one embodiment of a system 500 for facilitating cableplugging in a network, such as a computer network, in accordance withone or more aspects of the present invention. System 500 may include oneor more mobile devices 300, such as described above in connection withFIG. 3, for wirelessly reading 502 connector identifying informationfrom one or more cable connector tags 402 associated with one or morecable connectors to be plugged in the network (such as described abovein connection with FIG. 4). As noted, in operation a user may holdmobile device 300 near a cable connector tag 402 of a cable end, wherethe tag is a passive tag, the mobile device may emit an electromagneticfield to power the NFC tag, and extract the connector identifyinginformation. In one or more implementations, the tag may communicate theconnector identifying information back to the mobile device, where auser could view the data on the mobile device (as shown in FIG. 5A).Where the tag is an active tag, the wirelessly read connectoridentifying information may be received back at the mobile device, wherethe user could again view the data, as well as (if desired) store backinformation on the active tag that, for instance, identifies a day andtime that the user handled the particular cable connector, and/or cable.

In one or more embodiments, a user may use mobile device 300 to alsoconnect via a communication network 501 with a remote server 510.Communication network 501 may be any medium used to providecommunication links between various devices and computers connectedtogether within a processing environment. For instance, network 501 mayinclude connections, such as wires, wireless communication links, fiberoptic cables, etc. In one or more embodiments, network 501 may utilizethe Internet, or a different type of network, such as an intranet, alocal area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wireless network,etc.

Server 510 may be implemented as any of a variety of computer systems,such as those described below with reference to FIGS. 8-10. Also, notein this regard that the illustrative aspects described herein may beapplied to any of a variety of computing environments. In the example ofFIG. 5A, server 510 may be a backend or cloud-based server, and mayinclude a pre-established plug rules database 511, as well as in one ormore embodiments, a current plug log for the computer network 512. Forinstance, in one or more embodiments, the mobile device may include amobile device application that connects to server 510 to access plugrules database 511, which includes (by way of example) identifyinginformation for the exact cables that plug into each location of thenetwork being set up. By way of example, an exemplary embodiment of aserver computer may have plug locations for all the power andcommunication cables stored in the plug rules database 511 for one ormore different system configurations, correct cable lengths, etc. Inoperation, a user may provide an image of the network, or a portion ofthe network, and image recognition software, such as the Watson VisualRecognition API, offered by International Business Machine Corporation,of Armonk, N.Y., USA, may perform analysis to determine a current setupof the network, such as a current system configuration and input/outputconfiguration. Using this information, the plug rules database may bereferenced. In one or more implementations, the plug rules database maycontain all possible setup configurations, and their associated plugrules, or only the specific desired setup may be pre-loaded into thedatabase prior to installation.

Those skilled in the art will note that the pre-specified plug rules forthe network configuration may vary depending on how specific a designerwishes to be with cable management. As an example, a network may includea server with multiple input/output drawers, each of which has aphysical location associated with each plug location. A cable rule mayindicate that a particular type of cable plugs into a particular pluglocation using, for instance, a reference grid across the face of theframe, the server, or the input/output drawer, etc. In particular, theplug rule may include a physical address of where a particular cableconnector is to plug into the computer network. As part of the plugrules, content may be provided to, for instance, suggest to a user thatthe cable connector just scanned should not be plugged into the networkas yet, but rather, that a different cable connector should be scanned.

Also shown in FIG. 5A is another device 520, such as a pair of smartglasses which may be worn by a user plugging the cable connector(s) inthe network. As explained herein, based on ascertaining thepre-specified guidance, an action may be performed to assist in properlyplugging the cable connector in the network. This action, for instance,may include superimposing on the eye glasses in augmented reality theguidance for directing the operator to properly plug the cable connectorin the network. If desired, a camera 522 may also be associated with thesmart glasses to assist in capturing an image of the network, or aportion of the network. Note also, in this regard, that device 520, suchas smart glasses, could be used in conjunction with mobile device 300via, for instance, an appropriate wireless communication protocol, orcould be used in place of mobile device 300. In such an embodiment, thesmart glasses could communicate with server 510 in providing theprocesses disclosed herein.

FIG. 5B depicts an alternate embodiment of the system of FIG. 5A. Inthis embodiment, the plug rules database, as well as the current pluglog for the network would be stored on mobile device 300 itself,reducing or eliminating the need for server 510 (FIG. 5A) to perform oneor more aspects of the processes described herein. For instance, theplug rules, or plug rules database for a current network setup, may bepre-loaded into mobile device 300 prior to beginning installation of thecables such that communication with a server, (e.g., backend orcloud-based server 510 in the embodiment of FIG. 5A) would not benecessary.

As noted, based on ascertaining the guidance for where to properly pluga particular cable connector, an action may be performed to assist theuser in properly plugging the cable connector in the network. An exampleof this is depicted in FIG. 6, where an image of a computer network, oran image of a portion of a computer network, is displayed on mobiledevice 300, with the computer network including multiple plug locations122 in the illustrated image. To assist in plugging the particular cableconnector, guidance may be superimposed on the image. For instance,augmented reality guidance 600 may be provided in one or moreembodiments. This might include, for instance, superimposing anaugmented reality character or object, such as a rectangle or otherobject, over the particular plug location where the cable connector atissue is to be plugged in the computer network. Further, the guidancemay include providing other identifying information superimposed overthe image on the mobile device display, such as shown.

By way of further example, FIG. 7 depicts a more detailed embodiment ofa process for facilitating cable plugging in a network, such as acomputer network, in accordance with one or more aspects of the presentinvention. The depicted process 700 begins 701, for instance, withentering an augmented reality mode 705 for assisting a user in cableplugging. In the process of FIG. 7, it is assumed that the user hasalready wirelessly read, using the mobile device, connector identifyinginformation from a tag associated with a cable connector at one end ofthe cable to be plugged into the computer network, and used the cableidentifying information to ascertain the plug rule guidance for where toproperly plug the cable connector in the computer network.

As part of assisting proper plugging, the user may point the mobiledevice camera towards a network component or product at issue 710, andprocessing determines whether the product being imaged matches theexpected product to which the cable connector is to be plugged 715. If“no”, then processing provides, for instance, via the mobile device, aproper warning notification 720 to the user to indicate that the user ispointing the mobile device camera towards a different product thanneeded. Assuming that the computer network product being imaged matchesthe expected product, then the proper location for the connector cablemay be illustrated in augmented reality 725. Note that with the mobiledevice in augmented reality mode, one or more visual overlays may showwhere the plug location is that the particular cable connector is toplug into in the network. Other devices may also be used to display inaugmented reality mode the plug location. For instance, smart glassesmay be used in this context. Note also that multiple options may beshown at this point if the same connector cable may be used in multiplelocations. Also, note that where the same cable type is used a number oftimes within the computer network, and the other end of the connectorhas not yet been plugged, then if desired, an ordering of the pluglocations may be stored in the plug rules, such that the currently givenplug location may help to ultimately minimize cable tangling in theresultant computer network. Alternatively, in one or moreimplementations, an image of the computer network setup, with all theproper plug locations highlighted may also be provided.

In the process of FIG. 7, the image of the network product may also beused to identify whether there is an unexpected connector in a pluglocation identified for the particular cable connector 730. If “yes”,then an appropriate warning notification may be provided to the user720. For instance, this may represent a case where the user or anotheroperator had previously improperly plugged a cable into the identifiedplug location contrary to the particular computer network setupconfiguration specified.

The mobile device camera may also be used to, for instance, monitorwhere the user is plugging the cable connector 735. For instance, visualrecognition software can be employed to provide a notification ofwhether the cable connector instructions were followed. By monitoringthe image or video, processing can determine whether the user is movingthe cable connector towards the correct cable location. If the user ismoving the cable connector towards the wrong location 740, one or moresignals may be provided to the user to redirect the user. For instance,one or more arrows may be displayed on the mobile device to direct, orredirect, the user towards the correct plug location 745. This processmay also account for a user scanning one tag associated with one cableconnector, putting that cable connector down, and then accidentlypicking up a different cable connector that is to be plugged in adifferent cable location. At each step, one or more appropriate warningsmay be provided back to the user to assist in properly plugging thecables.

As part of the process, it may be desirable to verify that the cableconnector is in the correct plug location as the user separates from theconnector 750. Processing may confirm that the connector is in a properlocation 755. If “no”, then an appropriate warning may be provided backto the user 720. Otherwise, in one or more implementations, the locationof the plugged cable connector in the computer network may be loggedalong with, for instance, the UID of the tag or cable connector, andother information retrieved from the tag associated with the cableconnector plugged into the computer network 760. As noted, in certainembodiments, the location of the plugged cable connector may be loggedon the mobile device itself, or may be logged on a remote server.Further, the location may be logged on the corresponding tag itself, ifthe tag is an active tag.

In operation, a user may either repeat the process described herein foranother cable, address a warning notification to properly plug thecurrent cable, or repeat the process for a second cable connector of thesame cable, that is, if not already plugged. Note that situations mayexist where it is more efficient to plug a plurality of first cableconnectors of a plurality of cables and bundle the cables togetherbefore running them to another location to plug the second connectors ofthe cables. If a first connector of a cable is already plugged, then theprocessing disclosed herein may recognize this, for instance, due to thelogging noted above, in association with reading connector identifyinginformation from the second cable connectors, that is, from the tagsassociated with the second cable connectors. In one or moreimplementations, augmented reality may be employed to show an exactlocation to plug each second cable connector to ensure proper plugging.Thus, for an exemplary embodiment of a server computer network, properplugging can be verified without having to power on the system.

Exemplary embodiments of a computing environment which may implement oneor more aspects of the present invention are described below withreference to FIGS. 8-10.

By way of further example, FIG. 8 depicts one embodiment of a computingenvironment 800, which includes a computing system 812. Examples ofwell-known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations thatmay be suitable for use with computer system 812 include, but are notlimited to, a server, a desktop computer, a work station, a mobiledevice, such as a wireless computer, a handheld or laptop computer ordevice, a mobile phone, a programmable consumer electronic device, atablet, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or the like.

Computing system 812 may be described in the general context of computersystem-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executedby a computer system. Generally, program modules may include routines,programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and so on thatperform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types.

As depicted in FIG. 8, computing system 812, is shown in the form of ageneral-purpose computing device. The components of computing system 812may include, but are not limited to, one or more processors orprocessing units 816, a system memory 823, and a bus 818 that couplesvarious system components including system memory 823 to processor 816.

In one embodiment, processor 816 may be based on the z/Architecture®offered by International Business Machines Corporation, or otherarchitectures offered by International Business Machines Corporation orother companies. z/Architecture® is a registered trademark ofInternational Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y., USA. Oneembodiment of the z/Architecture® is described in “z/Architecture®Principles of Operation,” IBM Publication No. SA22-7832-10, March 2015,which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In other examples, it may be based on other architectures, such as thePower Architecture offered by International Business MachinesCorporation. One embodiment of the Power Architecture is described in“Power ISA™ Version 2.07B,” International Business Machines Corporation,Apr. 9, 2015, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. POWER ARCHITECTURE is a registered trademark of InternationalBusiness Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y., USA. Other names usedherein may be registered trademarks, trademarks, or product names ofInternational Business Machines Corporation or other companies.

Bus 818 represents one or more of any of several types of busstructures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheralbus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus usingany of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, and notlimitation, such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture(ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA)bus, Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, andPeripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus.

Computing system 812 may include a variety of computer system readablemedia. Such media may be any available media that is accessible bycomputing system 812, and it includes both volatile and non-volatilemedia, removable and non-removable media.

System memory 823 can include computer system readable media in the formof volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) 830 and/or cachememory 832. Computing system 812 may further include otherremovable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storagemedia. By way of example only, storage system 834 can be provided forreading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media(not shown and typically called a “hard drive”). Although not shown, amagnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to a removable,non-volatile magnetic disk (e.g., a “floppy disk”), and an optical diskdrive for reading from or writing to a removable, non-volatile opticaldisk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other optical media could be provided.In such instances, each can be connected to bus 818 by one or more datamedia interfaces. As described below, memory 823 may include at leastone program product having a set (e.g., at least one) of program modulesthat are configured to carry out the functions of embodiments of theinvention.

Program/utility 840, having a set (at least one) of program modules 842,may be stored in memory 823 by way of example, and not limitation, aswell as an operating system, one or more application programs, otherprogram modules, and program data. Each of the operating system, one ormore application programs, other program modules, and program data orsome combination thereof, may include an implementation of a networkingenvironment. Program modules 842 generally carry out the functionsand/or methodologies of embodiments of the invention as describedherein. Alternatively, a separate cable plugging guidance processingsystem, module, logic, etc., 801 may be provided within computingenvironment 812.

Computing system 812 may also communicate with one or more externaldevices 814 such as an imaging subsystem 815, a keyboard, a pointingdevice, a display 824, etc.; one or more devices that enable a user tointeract with computing system 812; and/or any devices (e.g., networkcard, modem, etc.) that enable computing system 812 to communicate withone or more other computing devices. Such communication can occur viaInput/Output (I/O) interfaces 822. Still yet, computing system 812 cancommunicate with one or more networks such as a local area network(LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g.,the Internet) via network adapter 820. As depicted, network adapter 820communicates with the other components of computing system, 812, via bus818. It should be understood that although not shown, other hardwareand/or software components could be used in conjunction with computingsystem 812. Examples, include, but are not limited to: microcode, devicedrivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays, RAIDsystems, tape drives, and data archival storage systems, etc.

One or more aspects may relate to or use cloud computing.

It is understood in advance that although this disclosure includes adetailed description on cloud computing, implementation of certainteachings recited herein are not limited to a cloud computingenvironment. Rather, embodiments of the present invention are capable ofbeing implemented in conjunction with any other type of computingenvironment now known or later developed.

Cloud computing is a model of service delivery for enabling convenient,on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computingresources (e.g. networks, network bandwidth, servers, processing,memory, storage, applications, virtual machines, and services) that canbe rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort orinteraction with a provider of the service. This cloud model may includeat least five characteristics, at least three service models, and atleast four deployment models.

Characteristics are as follows:

On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally provisioncomputing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, asneeded automatically without requiring human interaction with theservice's provider.

Broad network access: capabilities are available over a network andaccessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneousthin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, and PDAs).

Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are pooled to servemultiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physicaland virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according todemand. There is a sense of location independence in that the consumergenerally has no control or knowledge over the exact location of theprovided resources but may be able to specify location at a higher levelof abstraction (e.g., country, state, or datacenter).

Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and elasticallyprovisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly scale out andrapidly released to quickly scale in. To the consumer, the capabilitiesavailable for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can bepurchased in any quantity at any time.

Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and optimizeresource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level ofabstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g., storage,processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Resource usage can bemonitored, controlled, and reported providing transparency for both theprovider and consumer of the utilized service.

Service Models are as follows:

Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto use the provider's applications running on a cloud infrastructure.The applications are accessible from various client devices through athin client interface such as a web browser (e.g., web-based email). Theconsumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructureincluding network, servers, operating systems, storage, or evenindividual application capabilities, with the possible exception oflimited user-specific application configuration settings.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto deploy onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquiredapplications created using programming languages and tools supported bythe provider. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure including networks, servers, operating systems, orstorage, but has control over the deployed applications and possiblyapplication hosting environment configurations.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the capability provided to theconsumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and otherfundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy andrun arbitrary software, which can include operating systems andapplications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems, storage,deployed applications, and possibly limited control of select networkingcomponents (e.g., host firewalls).

Deployment Models are as follows:

Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely for anorganization. It may be managed by the organization or a third party andmay exist on-premises or off-premises.

Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by severalorganizations and supports a specific community that has shared concerns(e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and complianceconsiderations). It may be managed by the organizations or a third partyand may exist on-premises or off-premises.

Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to the generalpublic or a large industry group and is owned by an organization sellingcloud services.

Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or moreclouds (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities butare bound together by standardized or proprietary technology thatenables data and application portability (e.g., cloud bursting forload-balancing between clouds).

A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a focus onstatelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic interoperability.At the heart of cloud computing is an infrastructure comprising anetwork of interconnected nodes.

A cloud computing node may include a computer system/server, such as theone depicted in FIG. 8. Computing system 812 of FIG. 8 may be practicedin distributed cloud computing environments where tasks are performed byremote processing devices that are linked through a communicationsnetwork. In a distributed cloud computing environment, program modulesmay be located in both local and remote computer system storage mediaincluding memory storage devices. Computing system 812 is capable ofbeing implemented and/or performing any of the functionality set forthhereinabove.

Referring now to FIG. 9, illustrative cloud computing environment 50 isdepicted. As shown, cloud computing environment 50 comprises one or morecloud computing nodes 10 with which local computing devices used bycloud consumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistant (PDA)or cellular telephone 54A, desktop computer 54B, laptop computer 54C,and/or automobile computer system 54N may communicate. Nodes 10 maycommunicate with one another. They may be grouped (not shown) physicallyor virtually, in one or more networks, such as Private, Community,Public, or Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove, or a combinationthereof. This allows cloud computing environment 50 to offerinfrastructure, platforms and/or software as services for which a cloudconsumer does not need to maintain resources on a local computingdevice. It is understood that the types of computing devices 54A-N shownin FIG. 5 are intended to be illustrative only and that computing nodes10 and cloud computing environment 50 can communicate with any type ofcomputerized device over any type of network and/or network addressableconnection (e.g., using a web browser).

Referring to FIG. 10, a set of functional abstraction layers provided bycloud computing environment 50 (FIG.9) is shown. It should be understoodin advance that the components, layers, and functions shown in FIG. 10are intended to be illustrative only and embodiments of the inventionare not limited thereto. As depicted, the following layers andcorresponding functions are provided:

Hardware and software layer 60 includes hardware and softwarecomponents. Examples of hardware components include mainframes 61; RISC(Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture based servers 62;servers 63; blade servers 64; storage devices 65; and networks andnetworking components 66. In some embodiments, software componentsinclude network application server software 67 and database software 68.

Virtualization layer 70 provides an abstraction layer from which thefollowing examples of virtual entities may be provided: virtual servers71; virtual storage 72; virtual networks 73, including virtual privatenetworks; virtual applications and operating systems 74; and virtualclients 75.

In one example, management layer 80 may provide the functions describedbelow. Resource provisioning 81 provides dynamic procurement ofcomputing resources and other resources that are utilized to performtasks within the cloud computing environment. Metering and Pricing 82provide cost tracking as resources are utilized within the cloudcomputing environment, and billing or invoicing for consumption of theseresources. In one example, these resources may comprise applicationsoftware licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloudconsumers and tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources.User portal 83 provides access to the cloud computing environment forconsumers and system administrators. Service level management 84provides cloud computing resource allocation and management such thatrequired service levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA) planningand fulfillment 85 provide pre-arrangement for, and procurement of,cloud computing resources for which a future requirement is anticipatedin accordance with an SLA.

Workloads layer 90 provides examples of functionality for which thecloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of workloads andfunctions which may be provided from this layer include: mapping andnavigation 91; software development and lifecycle management 92; virtualclassroom education delivery 93; data analytics processing 94;transaction processing 95; and cable plugging guidance processing 96.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present inventionhave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinaryskills in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of thedescribed embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to bestexplain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application ortechnical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or toenable others of ordinary skills in the art to understand theembodiments disclosed herein.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product at any possible technical detail level of integration.The computer program product may include a computer readable storagemedium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereonfor causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, configuration data for integrated circuitry, oreither source code or object code written in any combination of one ormore programming languages, including an object oriented programminglanguage such as Smalltalk, C++, or the like, and procedural programminglanguages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programminglanguages. The computer readable program instructions may executeentirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as astand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partlyon a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. Inthe latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user'scomputer through any type of network, including a local area network(LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to anexternal computer (for example, through the Internet using an InternetService Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including,for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gatearrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute thecomputer readable program instructions by utilizing state information ofthe computer readable program instructions to personalize the electroniccircuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of theorder noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

In addition to the above, one or more aspects may be provided, offered,deployed, managed, serviced, etc. by a service provider who offersmanagement of customer environments. For instance, the service providercan create, maintain, support, etc. computer code and/or a computerinfrastructure that performs one or more aspects for one or morecustomers. In return, the service provider may receive payment from thecustomer under a subscription and/or fee agreement, as examples.Additionally or alternatively, the service provider may receive paymentfrom the sale of advertising content to one or more third parties.

In one aspect, an application may be deployed for performing one or moreembodiments. As one example, the deploying of an application comprisesproviding computer infrastructure operable to perform one or moreembodiments.

As a further aspect, a computing infrastructure may be deployedcomprising integrating computer readable code into a computing system,in which the code in combination with the computing system is capable ofperforming one or more embodiments.

As yet a further aspect, a process for integrating computinginfrastructure comprising integrating computer readable code into acomputer system may be provided. The computer system comprises acomputer readable medium, in which the computer medium comprises one ormore embodiments. The code in combination with the computer system iscapable of performing one or more embodiments.

Although various embodiments are described above, these are onlyexamples. For example, computing environments of other architectures canbe used to incorporate and use one or more embodiments. Further,different instructions, instruction formats, instruction fields and/orinstruction values may be used. Many variations are possible.

Further, other types of computing environments can benefit and be used.As an example, a data processing system suitable for storing and/orexecuting program code is usable that includes at least two processorscoupled directly or indirectly to memory elements through a system bus.The memory elements include, for instance, local memory employed duringactual execution of the program code, bulk storage, and cache memorywhich provide temporary storage of at least some program code in orderto reduce the number of times code must be retrieved from bulk storageduring execution. Input/Output or I/O devices (including, but notlimited to, keyboards, displays, pointing devices, DASD, tape, CDs,DVDs, thumb drives and other memory media, etc.) can be coupled to thesystem either directly or through intervening I/O controllers. Networkadapters may also be coupled to the system to enable the data processingsystem to become coupled to other data processing systems or remoteprinters or storage devices through intervening private or publicnetworks. Modems, cable modems, and Ethernet cards are just a few of theavailable types of network adapters.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprise” (andany form of comprise, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (andany form of have, such as “has” and “having”), “include” (and any formof include, such as “includes” and “including”), and “contain” (and anyform contain, such as “contains” and “containing”) are open-endedlinking verbs. As a result, a method or device that “comprises”, “has”,“includes” or “contains” one or more steps or elements possesses thoseone or more steps or elements, but is not limited to possessing onlythose one or more steps or elements. Likewise, a step of a method or anelement of a device that “comprises”, “has”, “includes” or “contains”one or more features possesses those one or more features, but is notlimited to possessing only those one or more features. Furthermore, adevice or structure that is configured in a certain way is configured inat least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are notlisted.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below, if any, areintended to include any structure, material, or act for performing thefunction in combination with other claimed elements as specificallyclaimed. The description of the present invention has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to beexhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of one or more aspects of the invention and the practicalapplication, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art tounderstand one or more aspects of the invention for various embodimentswith various modifications as are suited to the particular usecontemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of facilitating cable plugging in anetwork, the method comprising: wirelessly reading, using a hand-heldmobile device, connector identifying information directly from a tagassociated with a cable connector at one end of a cable to be plugged inthe network; using, by the hand-held mobile device, the connectoridentifying information to ascertain guidance for where to properly plugthe cable connector in the network; and based on ascertaining theguidance, performing an action to assist in properly plugging the cableconnector in the network.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein theperforming comprises obtaining, by the hand-held mobile device, an imageof at least a portion of the network and superimposing the guidance onthe image to assist in plugging the cable connector in the network. 3.The method of claim 2, wherein superimposing the guidance comprisesproviding in augmented reality the guidance on the image.
 4. The methodof claim 1 further comprising bringing, by a user, the hand-held mobiledevice in wireless communication proximity to the tag associated withthe cable connector at the one end of the cable to be plugged in thenetwork.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the using comprises using, bythe hand-held mobile device, the connector identifying information toobtain from a database containing applicable cable rules the guidancefor where to properly plug the cable connector in the network.
 6. Themethod of claim 5, further comprising ascertaining the applicable cablerules by imaging, using the hand-held mobile device, at least a portionof the network and determining, via image recognition, details about thenetwork to identify the applicable cable rules.
 7. The method of claim5, wherein the applicable cable rules are stored on the hand-held mobiledevice.
 8. The method of claim 5, wherein the applicable cable rulesreside remote from the hand-held mobile device and remote from thenetwork.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising imaging where thecable connector is subsequently plugged into the network, andmaintaining a log identifying, based at least in part on the imaging,which cable connectors are plugged into which plug locations of thenetwork.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the guidance comprisesidentifying multiple acceptable plug locations for the cable connectorin the network.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the performingcomprises providing the guidance on a device separate from the hand-heldmobile device, the device comprising smart glasses worn by an operatorplugging the cable connector in the network.
 12. The method of claim 1,further comprising: storing an indication of where the cable connectoris subsequently plugged into the network; wirelessly reading, by thehand-held mobile device, connector identifying information from anothertag associated with another cable connector at another end of the cableto be plugged in the network; using, by the hand-held mobile device, thestored indication of where the cable connector is plugged into thenetwork, and the connector identifying information from the another tagassociated with the another cable connector at the another end of thecable, to ascertain further guidance for where to properly plug theanother cable connector in the network; and based on ascertaining thefurther guidance, performing a further action to assist in properlyplugging the another cable connector at the another end of the cable inthe network.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the performingcomprises obtaining, by the hand-held mobile device, an image of atleast a portion of the network and superimposing in augmented realitythe guidance on the image.
 14. A system of facilitating cable pluggingin a network, the system comprising: a memory; and a processorcommunicatively coupled to the memory, wherein the system performs amethod comprising: receiving, by a hand-held mobile device, wirelesslyread connector identifying information directly from a tag associatedwith a cable connector at one end of a cable to be plugged in thenetwork; using, by the hand-held mobile device, the connectoridentifying information to ascertain guidance for where to properly plugthe cable connector in the network; and based on ascertaining theguidance, performing an action to assist in properly plugging the cableconnector in the network.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein theperforming comprises obtaining, by the hand-held mobile device, an imageof at least a portion of the network and superimposing the guidance onthe image to assist in plugging the cable connector in the networkwherein superimposing the guidance comprises providing in augmentedreality the guidance on the image.
 16. The system of claim 14, whereinthe using comprises using, by the hand-held mobile device, the connectoridentifying information to obtain from a database containing applicablecable rules the guidance for where to properly plug the cable connectorin the network.
 17. The system of claim 16, further comprisingascertaining the applicable cable rules by imaging, using the hand-heldmobile device, at least a portion of the network and determining, viaimage recognition, details about the network to identify the applicablecable rules.
 18. The system of claim 14, further comprising: storing anindication of where the cable connector is subsequently plugged into thenetwork; wirelessly reading, by the hand-held mobile device, connectoridentifying information from another tag associated with another cableconnector at another end of the cable to be plugged in the network;using, by the hand-held mobile device, the stored indication of wherethe cable connector is plugged into the network, and the connectoridentifying information from the another tag associated with the anothercable connector at the another end of the cable, to ascertain furtherguidance for where to properly plug the another cable connector in thenetwork; and based on ascertaining the further guidance, performing afurther action to assist in properly plugging the another cableconnector at the another end of the cable in the network.
 19. A computerprogram product for facilitating cable plugging in a network, thecomputer program product comprising: a computer readable storage mediumhaving program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructionsbeing executable by a processor to cause the processor to: receive, by ahand-held mobile device, wirelessly read connector identifyinginformation directly from a tag associated with a cable connector at oneend of a cable to be plugged in the network; use, by the hand-heldmobile device, the connector identifying information to ascertainguidance for where to properly plug the cable connector in the network;and based on ascertaining the guidance, performing an action to assistin properly plugging the cable connector in the network.
 20. Thecomputer program product of claim 19, wherein the performing comprisesobtaining, by the hand-held mobile device, an image of at least aportion of the network and superimposing in augmented reality theguidance on the image.